Britain faces a skills gap as science and maths graduates are not up to the job, a study reveals today.

And it could take 10 years to close the gap, warn top employers and Britain’s leading universities.

They say that investment in STEM subjects - science, technology and maths - is not as high as in other countries and it is harming our competitiveness in the world economy.

Nearly six out of 10 employers of science, technology and maths graduates believe there aren’t enough suitably skilled recruits to meet their needs.

The findings from a YouGov poll for MathWorks, a mathematical computer software firm, come just days after a study by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development found that youngsters in the UK have some of the lowest numeracy and literacy skills in the developed world.

The latest study of 300 employers and 24 academics from the leading Russell Group of universities found there are not enough good recruits leaving education fit for the modern workplace.

Its key findings are:-

61% of business leaders and 68% of academics who think there is a skills gap believe it will take over 10 years to close

83% of businesses and 89% of academics think the skills gap needs to be bridged in order for the UK to be competitive in the world economy

51% of industry and 53% of academics believe investment in the teaching of STEM is not as high as in other countries

The study calls for universities and businesses to work closer together to bridge the skills gap.

Dr Coorous Mohtada, of MathWorks, said: ”This report tells us two important things: first, that more needs to done to encourage students to study STEM subjects.

“Secondly, that STEM curricula need to better reflect the requirements of industry, bearing in mind that during their careers students will need to solve problems that are not yet known.”